96-2002 merc 4.3 differences?

[francboone]

Glad i found this forum. Hopefully someone can help me make a decision. I have a 96 VIP 196 bowrider with a Mercruiser 4.3 lx with an Alpha 1 that the p.o. didnt winterize and the block is cracked. Everything else is said to work. (So says his mechanic) He ended up giving me the boat. I wanted to see my options (funds are limited) but time is plentiful for now. I found a mercruiser 4.3 long block out of a 2000 sea ray for $250 locally and a complete 4.3 used with 250 hours but complete for $2000, no outdrive. I have limited mechanical skill but am a fast learner and have unlimited resources here on the net. My question is; will the long block work from the sea ray since the years are different? How much labor is involved? Should i bite the bullet and just get the complete motor? sorry for the long post. thanks in advance for any help.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Newbee question...

Re: Newbee question...

Howdy,

Plenty of people will chime in but if it were me, I would get the $250 longblock if it's in good condition. (I do need to add there may be differences from 96 to 2000.....someone will jump in with those differences if they're significant)

Go up to Sticky: ------------ADULTs ONLY -------------------------No Exceptions-----

Get familiar with the manuals and other info there.

It's not all that hard to swap an engine.

You do have to pull the drive first but the service manual you find will walk you through the procedure.

You will need some regular hand tools, some sort of a hoist and an alignment tool, available from many sources including ebay.


Welcome to iboats!


Rick

 

[francboone]

Re: Newbee question...

Re: Newbee question...

thanks for the quick response. Anyone know where i can find out if the 2000 sea ray block will work in my 96 merc 4.3 lx? I searched the forums but no luck. Are there serial numbers that you can tell which parts are compatable?

I need to tell the guy with the long block if i want it tomorrow because he has someone else wanting it. Dont want to lose out on this opportunity...

 

[HT32BSX115]

96-2000 year model differences 4.3" longblock

96-2000 year model differences 4.3" longblock

I know there are *some* differences between an older 4.3 and a newer one.

I believe it's similar to differences in small block V-8's. I think they are minor but I am not absolutely sure.

Go back to your first post and edit the title. Someone will see it.

 

[cr2k]

Re: Newbee question...

Re: Newbee question...

I am not certain but I believe your 96 is the later model and should be the same.

I think it was mid 90s that they came out with the Vortex.

 

[francboone]

Re: 96-2002 merc 4.3 differences?

Anyone know if i could salvage the block from a 2000-2002 4.3lx with a crank bearing gong bad for use in a 1996 4.3lx with a cracked block from not winterizing? both are vortec. Please help. I have two weeks off and would love to fix my first boat. Thanks. This forum is awesome.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 96-2002 merc 4.3 differences?

Anyone know if i could salvage the block from a 2000-2002 4.3lx with a crank bearing gong bad for use in a 1996 4.3lx with a cracked block from not winterizing? both are vortec.

Ayuh,.... It'll probably Work, but the cost of fixin' the block to take the guts from the cracked 1 would be Too much cash.....
Loosing a bearing wrecks the block a well as the crank...

Swapping Complete long block for Complete long block, between those vintages is No Problem though...
Pretty much anything from 96 to date will bolt right in...

 

[180shabah]

Re: 96-2002 merc 4.3 differences?

cr2k - 96 was the intro year for the vortec. 96-98 could have either the new or the old though. Intake manifold changes, and a serpentine belt was added. He can bolt anything from 1992 to present in place, since he has his original to steal any brackets he may need.

 

[francboone]

Re: 96-2002 merc 4.3 differences?

Thanks to everyone who responded. Looks like they wont match up, mines the older model and his is the newer w an aluminum oil pan. I found a complete sterndrive and outdrive cheap and will go that route. Now if i can only figure out how to install the motor and drive. Im sure theres a thread on that here. Thanks again. Mahalo.